I have got atos medical next week, which I am not looking forward to, has any one had one of these Medicals and kept their benefit

[stitch1997]

I have fibromyalgia and have not been able to work since 2007

[anbuma]

hi there my experiences of medicals varies.th efirst was fine and I passed no problem -that was around 1999 when my problems and symptoms were far less,that was before ATOS.i had one which lasted 20 minutes and that wa swhere the guy twisted everything I said.my last one was very brief .the person in front of me (god knows what he must have gone thru )was in for over an hour ands as tehy were running so late mine laste d only about a few minutes,he scribbled a few notes and said that was it.then I had another at my home.i htink it just depends what the situation is at the time btu then it is probably different now.

[Mazz64]

I have had 2 to date and had to go to tribunal both times, both of which I won. don't let them rush you, they will want you to give a one word answer yes or no so its easier for them to make up the rest, I'm having mine recorded next time, have you got someone to go with you? they marked me down for removing my paperwork from my bag, I also got marked down for carrying a bag! I'm not trying to worry you and hopefully there will have improved by now but take your time and explain how painful every thing is and the trouble you have carrying out your daily chores if you can do any.

what part of the country are you in if you don't mind me asking? good luck and let us know how you get on

best wishes Mazz xx

[stitch1997 in reply to Mazz64]

Hi Mazz thanks for the reply, I am in pitlochry, Scotland and yes my hubby is coming with me will post how I get on fingers crossed x

[Mdaisy]

Hello Stitch1997,

I'm the same as you, I've not worked since 2007 and I've had Fibro since 2006. I'm awaiting my reply from an ESA50 I completed last year to migrate from Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support Allowance. I hope the links below help

Please can I provide you with this link to Disability Rights UK which you may find helpful;

disabilityrightsuk.org/appe...

If you need any other advice please feel free to email us [e-mail], please see link;

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

Please also see our website about fibro & benefits which may be of interest;

fibroaction.org/Pages/Benef...

Best Wishes

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[Zorago365]

Hiya,

I had my medical on wed, not sure how it went, take someone with u, if you can, I was just honest, explained how I am on very bad day, bcoz at the moment, most days are very bad. Can take up to 6wks for results. Hope it goes in your favour, if not appeal.

[Debstops in reply to Zorago365]

I have been waiting since August last year had my medical by atos on 3rd man and still no answer

[moemm]

Have a look at benefitsandwork.co.uk

They offer lots of advice on medicals, tribunals etc. I lost my benefits following a medical with really unsympathetic people, but appealed after following Benefits & Work's advice & had them re-instated.

It costs less than £20 to join, but their advice is well worth it. Good luck!

[Mdaisy in reply to moemm]

Hello Moemm,

Thank you for the great advice to Stitch1997

Please read this post below and you'll find emailing FibroAction will be helpful to any member wanting benefit information & advice

healthunlocked.com/fibroact...

Best Wishes

Emma

FibroAction Administrator

[TheAuthor]

Hi there

I have never had anything like this. However, I wanted to wish you good luck with yours.

Fingers crossed for you

Ken x

[cowsrock]

I had a medical on Saturday of all days, it is the same as it used to be when I had to do it after Shattering my wrist back in 2006 lol, so don't get to know if I have it for 2 week's, as long as you go as your worsed day you should be fine take care x

[Hidden]

Hello

Yes I have had two Atos assesments now and kept my benefits , I am thinking that it is the accumulation of all my health problems 'not just fibro' that has been a key point. Fibromyalgia is really needing more awareness in the medical profession it seems to me that what they know little about is not real .... you can ask for a specialist in fibromyalgia or at least someone who has knowledge of this awful condition to do your assesment .

kind regards

Katheryn

[michaelb62]

Hi

I am waiting for my transition from incapacity to ESA sent the forms in last september. However a friend of mine who is nowhere near as bad as me (without sounding rude or anything) but she hardly goes to the Dr's doesn't have as much pain etc. but when she had the forms through she went to Dr's once and put on hand braces whereas she is always crafting and cutting very fiddly things etc her husband went to dr's with her and he said she was getting worse and he was having to do more and more for her but the main reason for this is she can't be bothered no other reason she is perfectly capable but would rather do her crafting than do anything for the family. He also went with her to her medical where she wore hand splints used a walking stick and she was told there and then that her benefit would continue and not too worry. She didn't as she was flying of to Australia the following Monday as she had the medical on the friday. I shave no doubt when i get mine it will be totally different and i always walk with crutches and have hand points and take far more medication and don't have partner to go with me may have to get my future daughter in law or one of my sons to go with me. I am struggling to manage with everything and it just sometimes makes me cross when people who are more able really lay it on thick and get away with it. If i could i would love to return to work just to get me out and to meet people as well as earning a decent wage i just feel my life is passing me by now and it just seems pointless at times to go on. I don't sleep, the constant pain the pills and the loneliness all get to me and i do get very depressed. I hope you medical all goes ok i know when i get called for mine i will be a bag of nerves i had one a couple of years ago and they said i was fine until 2015 and i thought and was told that that medical was for the transition to sea but it never changed on my bank account. I have had so many more medicals than my friend and have seen more consultants and had far more surgeries on my joints i just don't understand what their system is worked on.

[Iampain]

I have been to Atoms, and had to endure their medical. I left thinking I had no chance, but weeks later I was in receipt of a letter telling me I was in the support group, for six months. Its now 18 months later and I have just filled in another esa50 , now waiting for the atos letter, with some trepidation. I'm sure I won't be given the same result, and will have to go in the wrag group.

I refuse to let it be the only thing on my mind stress= pain. Try to relax, worry has no good reward. Gentle hugs.

[fenbadger]

Emma, is it possible or ethical to pin that link about the Scottish nurse? It has its uses as an interesting article.

All I can say is I don't know how different the rules are in Scotland. Be yourself and honest. Don't try to look too capable. For instance in the waiting room choose a chair with arms and boost yourself out of it. Allegedly even that sort of thing is taken into account. Don't take loads of supporting documentation unless told to. Leave it for them to get, it's their job after all, and makes you look more organised, therefore employable. I'm not for one minute suggesting you cheat but you're not out to impress anyone. don't worry if your answers are inconsistent. it might be suspicious if they were!

All sound cynical I know. Above all don't worry.

[stitch1997]

Thanks to all for your replies and advice they are all much appreciated

[Hidden]

It is getting to the point where I do not understand how we are suppose to prove we are ill and that fibro really does affect our lifes every second of each day. I have had my benefits stopped now because some kind person phoned the social and told them I was renting out my house that i SOLD !! they now want to know where the profits of the house have gone , how much I made , what have I done with my money since the house sale . It have been soul destroying , I cannot pay my bills or rent now until it is sorted , I made very little on my house I had to sell because I could not afford to keep paying the morgage nor the upkeep so much needed doing to the house and I would never have the money to do it .

Why do people do this to us when each day is a struggle , I live alone and very few friends which makes things worse , my doctor is caring but does not know what to do now apart from offer more meds or counselling.

If I lose my case I lose everything I spend each day worring which makes matters worse , so depressed I just want to lie down and give up , I am sure it would not matter to most if i did .

And like some have said I see people who have had their benefits for years with no problems from atos and they go on holiday , walk around town on their own shopping , have new furniture etc etc where am I going wrong ? I have worked most my life and miss it so much I loved my job this is the difference I want to go back to work but am told no one would consider me now .....

So why am I here living this painful empty life and now no money ?

cannot continue cannot see through the tears